Forget Me Not

LOST MEMORIES. Welcome👋 River Thomas was a 17 years old teenager. He had a doll like complexion with a subtle warm undertone. Normally he had green eyes which were always expressively bright but currently full due to memory loss. He sat on the hospital bed, his dark brown hair was disheveled due to the hospital stay and his facial features seem more angular due to weight loss. His usual vibrant appearance was dulled by hospital pallor and his green eyes lacked their usual sparkles. He rested on his bed staring at the ward's ceiling. Having no clue about anything, he felt out of place. "Argggh" he screamed holding his head when he had a hard headache. He had tried to forcefully remember the past but all he got was a hard headache. His mom Lisa gently stroked his black locks trying to soothe his agitation. "Don't worry sweetie, you'll remember everything soon. Just rest now" River's eyes drifted to the hospital room's window, where the sunlight cast an eerie glow. His frustration intensified, but exhaustion eventually took over. As he drifted off to sleep, Lisa's whispered words echoed in his mind: "You're safe now, River. I'm here." *** River's dreams were fragmented and unsettling, all he saw in his dream were ; Flashes of darkness. Echoes of screams. Moments of intense sorrow. But one image lingered: A pair of piercing blue eyes. He jumped out of his dream gasping for air. "Mom?" He called out panic rising from his mom's disappearance. Lisa sprinted into the room almost immediately. "I'm here back, it's okay" she assured. River clutched to her hand, his eyes glittering with tears. " Baby it's okay, you're safe now " River's gaze drifted around the hospital room, confusion still clouding his mind. Lisa's voice was soft. "You've been through a lot. Just rest." River's thoughts swirled, trying to grasp onto anything. The blue eyes reappeared in his mind. Intense. Familiar. Haunting. River's heart quickened. "Who?" he whispered, unsure what he was asking. The blue eyes reappeared in his mind. Intense. Familiar. Haunting. River's heart quickened. Lisa noticed his unease. "What's wrong, sweetie?" River hesitated, unsure how to articulate his emotions. NOTE :[ His family didn't know about Cloud, or neither the breakup, or the darkness that followed]. Only his friends Jasper and Ava knew.] And now, with his memories gone, River is definitely lost and vulnerable. Lisa's gentle prodding brought River back to the present. "Nothing, Mom," River replied, forcing a weak smile. Lisa's expression softened. "We'll get through this together, okay?" River nodded but deep down the Blue eyes lingered in his mind. Who were the owner's?. Why's the eyes torturing and haunting him. Why does it look familiar? Suddenly, a nurse entered the room, interrupting River's thoughts. "Time for your medication, River," she said with a usual warm smile. As the nurse administered the medication, River's eyelids grew heavy. "Sleep little one" a voice whispered. And like magic River fell into a deep slumber. And his world went dark once more. *** River's next awakening brought a surprise visitor. Jasper, his best friend, sat beside his bed, eyes red-rimmed. "Hey, mate," Jasper said softly. River's gaze fell on Jasper, confusion etched on his face. "Who...who are you?" Jasper's expression faltered. "River, mate, it's me, Jasper," he said softly. River's blank stare deepened. Jasper's eyes welled up "We're...friends." River's thoughts swirled. Friend? What did that mean? Lisa intervened. "Jasper, maybe give River some space." Jasper nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'll come back later." As Jasper left, River's mind lingered on the stranger's face. Familiar, yet unknown. Then the blue eyes resurfaced in his thoughts. Who? Why? River's frustration grew. "Mom?" he called out. "Yes, baby?" Lisa replied. "Who am I?" River pleaded. Lisa's expression softened. "You're my son." River's gaze dropped. That wasn't what he meant. Lisa stood up "baby, can you excuse me please, i would be just outside the door if you need anything". River stared at her anxiously "Where're you going?" "I need to talk to Jasper, the guy that was here" she pecked his cheeks and left immediately. River was curious, about what his mother wanted to discuss with the boy. He heard her called Jasper, he immediately leaped off the bed trying to eavesdrop. "Yes Mrs Thompson "he heard Jasper say ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ 🍒 "Jasper!" Lisa called sprinting towards the younger. "Yes ma'am" Jasper responded turning to face Lisa. "Umm, I was meaning to ask you if you perhaps but anyway know what might have caused River's depression. You know he barely open up to us his family. He preferred keeping things to himself. I guess maybe you or Ava might know something" She clasped her hands together. Jasper felt for the poor woman. He just couldn't bring himself to spill River's secret which he swore he would never tell. River's family weren't homophobic, they widely spread their hands to homosexuality. River's maternal uncle was an open gay and no one seemed to have a problem with it except some shitty neighbors who couldn't look away. River had chosen to remain in the closet for some reasons on unknown. And now his memory was lost no one would ever know why. Jasper hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Ma'am, River...he was going through a tough time," he said cautiously. Lisa's eyes narrowed. "What kind of tough time?" Jasper glanced around, ensuring they were alone. "He...broke up with someone. Someone important." Lisa's expression softened. "Who?" Jasper's voice barely above a whisper. "Cloud." Lisa's eyebrows furrowed. "Cloud? I've never heard River mention anyone by that name." Jasper's eyes darted around nervously. "That's because...he didn't want you to know." Lisa's gaze intensified. "Why?" Jasper's shoulders sagged. "River was scared, ma'am. Scared of how you'd react." Lisa's face fell, realization dawning. "His relationship with Cloud...it was more than friendship, wasn't it?" Jasper nodded, his eyes locked on Lisa's. Lisa's expression transformed from shock to understanding. "I had no idea. River's always been private, but...I should have known." Jasper's voice filled with empathy. "You would've supported him, ma'am. River just...needed time." Lisa's eyes welled up with tears. "I want to help him, Jasper. I want River to know I'm here for him." Jasper's nod was resolute. "I'll make sure he knows, ma'am." As they spoke, River's ears strained to catch every word, his heart pounding in anticipation. He walked back to the bed after hearing to his fill like a ghost, he couldn't feel his feet as he was already in a trance. He slumped unto the hospital bed, muttering some words. "Cloud, cloud, cloud, cloud, break up, relationship, cloud, cloud, breakup. River f*****g think" He sighed. The name wasn't familiar to him at all but he was trying hard to remember the person. "Was he cause of everything?" He thought to himself and just then he felt a sharp pain on his head. It hurt like hell. He grabbed his head tightly, as he rolled on the bed closing his eyes tightly. With closed vision all he could see was darkness, and just then it flooded his brain. A deep voice, which felt so close whispered some words in his head, he could barely hear what the voice said. It was like a memory, like something from the past. The word the voice said still kept ringing in his head. River's eyes remained closed, his mind racing with the whispered words. Suddenly, images began to flash: Flickers of darkness and light Echoes of pain and sorrow Snippets of a life unknown River's breath quickened as fragments of his past teased him. But the memories were hazy, incomplete. River's frustration grew. Why couldn't he remember anything? Just then, Lisa entered the room, concern etched on her face. "River, baby, how are you feeling?" she asked softly. River opened his eyes, searching for answers. "Mom...I don't know," he said, his voice shaking. Lisa's expression transformed from worry to reassurance. "You will, sweetie. Your memories will return," she said gently. River nodded, his mind still reeling. As Lisa comforted him, River's thoughts drifted back to the mysterious voice. Who was speaking? What did they want him to remember? The unknown haunted River. Suddenly, a name echoed in his mind: Cloud. River's heart skipped a beat. Who was Cloud? Why did the name evoke such emotion? Why was memories of his alleged ex boyfriend tormenting him?. Lisa combed his hair carefully with her hands, blaming herself internally for not being there when her baby needed her the most. "Mom?" He called after he had calmed a bit. "Yes sweetie?" "Dad's still alive right??" "Yeah sure, why do you ask that sweetie?" "Um, I was wondering why no one visited me apart from you and that guy. Don't I have friends?, was I introverted?" "Okay baby, you have an older sister, Elisa and you have two best friends, one is that guy that was here few minutes ago Jasper, and a girl, who lives just few metres away from our house, her name's Ava" River's mouth formed an " O " hating himself for not remembering his friends. "U hungry?" Lisa asked shoving a pack of Snickers bar at him. River caught it immediately, and quickly tore it open his eyes glittering with excitement. "What was my favorite food?" "I won't tell you, find it out" Lisa smirked and river whined. "Ugh~~~" river cried out. He bit took a bite of the bar, and moaned at the taste. "Mom, when will I be discharged?" River asked, his voice filled with anticipation. Lisa smiled. "Soon, baby. The doctor says you're recovering well." River nodded, relief washing over him.